Every August, the best Dota 2 teams travel from around the world, seeking to
raise the coveted Aegis at the most prestigious competition in esports:
The International.
Over its short but fabled history, The International has managed to
produce more than a few of Dota’s most unforgettable stories.
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But before more heroes and legends are added to the competition’s lore this summer
let’s look back, and relive the Most Iconic moments in The International’s history.
The Fountain Hooks
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Game-breaking. Brilliant. Hilarious. Cheating.
No matter how you describe it,
Na`Vi’s Fountain Hooks from TI3 is still one of the most unorthodox strategies
to ever be used at an International.
Only 15 minutes into game 3 of their upper bracket match against TongFu
Na`Vi found themselves with their backs against the wall.
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Sensing incoming defeat, Puppey and Dendi pulled out the ultimate cheese strategy – the Fountain Hook
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The product of a unique interaction between Chen’s “Test of Faith” and Pudge’s “Meat Hook”,
the Fountain Hook created a long ride to certain death for
anyone unfortunate enough to be caught on the end of it.
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From there, things became more and more ridiculous
as Dendi landed hook, after hook,
after hook.
(Crowd Cheering)
In the end, despite its absurdity, this cheese strategy was crucial for securing
Na`Vi’s comeback.
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While the interaction would later be patched out of the game,
this iconic moment forever stands as a testament to not only Na`Vi’s inventiveness
but the near-endless possibilities of Dota.
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The Mega Creep Comeback
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In the six-year history of The International,
no team had ever successfully overcome Mega Creeps to take the win.
That is, until August 10th, 2016,
when EG met EHOME in an absolute slugfest of a match.
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From minute one, both teams went blow-for-blow in teamfight after teamfight,
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but EHOME slowly ground EG down and pushed forward,
eventually claiming all three ‘rax to get Mega Creeps.
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With the impossible challenge of overcoming Megas in front of them, EG didn’t waver,
putting up an unbelievable defence, somehow clawing their way back into the match.
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With the game well-past the hour mark, and Megas threatening their every move,
EG took the momentum of their valiant hold and brought the fight to EHOME’s front door.
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As the crowd blew the roof off Key Arena,
EG cemented their legendary status with one of the greatest Dota 2 comebacks of all-time.
The Deny
From The International 2013,
KYXY’s deny is one of the most infamous blunders of Dota’s history
and is iconic for all the wrong reasons.
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In the Lower Bracket finals, Orange eSports took on Na`Vi for the chance
to face Alliance in the Grand Finals.
Orange came into the series hot, and jumped out to a strong lead in a deciding Game 3 against the favorites,
Na`Vi.
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Orange was in a commanding position, and opted to take Roshan to ensure the win.
But that’s when disaster struck.
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As Roshan died, KYXY misclicked,
destroying the crucial Aegis of the Immortal just before his team could pick it up.
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Without the Aegis in hand, Orange was unable to close out the game safely,
ultimately creating an opening for Na`Vi.
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Na`Vi capitalized on Orange’s misfortune and charged back into the game,
overcoming a 7 thousand gold deficit, knocking Orange out of the event.
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While KYXY is still a celebrated player, this moment will forever linger.
Adding to the cruel iconic legacy of this misplay is the fact that, to this day,
Aegis denies are still called KYXY’s.
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The Six-Million Dollar Echo Slam
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From the Grand Finals of TI5, The Six Million Dollar Echo Slam is not only one
of the nastiest two-man wombo combos you'll ever witness,
it was the tournament-winning play for Evil Geniuses.
Up 2-1 in the Grand Final against CDEC-Gaming, Evil Geniuses – the hometown heroes
appeared to be on their way to victory in game four.
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Then, a glimmer of hope presented itself for CDEC: a catch onto SumaiL created an opening to take Roshan
and potentially reclaim the momentum.
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But, as quickly as the window opened for CDEC,
PPD and Universe slammed it shut even faster,
unleashing their ultimates onto their unwary opponents to devastating effect.
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Only 10 minutes after this game-defining play,
EG would hoist the Aegis as North America’s first ever champions.
(Crowd chants: EG! EG! EG!)
s4's Million Dollar Dream Coils
From the epic Grand finals of TI3
s4’s Million Dollar Dream Coils are quite possibly the most clutch plays in Dota 2 history.
TI3’s Grand Finals was the culmination of one of the game’s best rivalries:
Alliance vs. Na`Vi, the “El Clasico” of Dota.
With the title on the line in a deciding Game 5,
both teams were digging deep. Alliance started slow out of the gate, giving Na`Vi early control.
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That’s when Alliance started to do what they do best: split-push.
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Na`Vi grouped up mid, attempting to force Alliance to defend.
When it became clear their strategy wasn’t working,
Na`Vi tried to bail out.
But, s4 had something to say about that.
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With Na`Vi stalled in their recalls, Alliance took down two lanes of ‘rax, completely outmaneuvering their rival.
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As the game was coming down to the wire,
s4 once again came up absolutely massive.
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While there is plenty of debate as to which of the two moments is the true “Million Dollar Coil”,
there’s no doubt that both are spectacular.
The plays catapulted s4 into the Dota pantheon and helped Alliance secure the Aegis
in one of the most epic finishes to any International.
Dramatic, sensational and undeniably clutch
s4’s Million Dollar Dream Coils are the definition of an iconic Dota moment.
BuLba and Clockwerk
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Sometimes, one man can make all the difference in the world
and during The International 2013, that man was BuLba,
who helped carry Team Liquid to one of the most dramatic upsets of all time.
When Liquid met LGD-Gaming China in the Lower Bracket of TI3,
everyone predicted that North America would once again fall short against a Chinese powerhouse.
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However, in a now-legendary game, BuLba on Clockwerk went to work,
picking LGD apart across the map and landing crucial hooks to give Liquid a chance.
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Thankfully for North American fans, Liquid did not waste the opportunity produced by BuLba’s heroics,
closing out the upset with a brilliant teamfight.
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With LD’s famous call resonating throughout the building, North America emerged the victors.
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The match remains iconic for not only BuLba’s ridiculously heroic individual performance,
but the significance of the win in the landscape of NA Dota.
The Play
What can you say about The Play that hasn’t been said already?
From The International 2012, The Play is still to this day Dota’s most famous moment
– a highlight you simply need to see to believe.
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In a crucial Game 2 of their upper bracket match against Invictus Gaming, Na`Vi was in firm control.
With eyes on the Tier 2 bottom lane, Na`Vi gathered themselves and grouped for a push.
Sensing an opportunity to mount a comeback, iG didn’t hesitate.
Wrapping around behind Na`Vi under cover of Smoke, iG’s plan worked perfectly,
catching Na`Vi off-guard and setting up what looked to be an absolutely devastating teamfight.
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However, LightofHeaven popped his BKB, landing a massive four-man black hole on the grouped-up iG,
completely reversing the trap.
At the same instant, Dendi Force Staffed himself out of iG’s attacks,
stealing Ravage and returning it in kind, leading Na`Vi to decimate iG in a clean wipe.
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Na`Vi would go on to not only win the game, but the series as well,
advancing them into the Top 3 at TI2.
While iG would earn their revenge in the Grand Finals to claim the Aegis for themselves,
it does little to tarnish what is Dota’s most iconic moment of all.